October 2017 Volume 2, Issue 2

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1946-1960……………………2

1961-1971……………………3

1972-1980……………………4

1981-1992………………… 5

1993-2004……………………6

2005-2016……………………7

CDC today……………………8

Mercer MRC A Newsletter for and about our volunteers

7 Decades of Firsts — the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

Last year the CDC celebrated 70 years of service to the United

States and the world. Many achievements in global health have

been made since the CDC was founded on July 1, 1946 by Dr.

Joseph Mountin. Originally named the Communicable Disease Center, the agency initially

focused on fighting malaria by killing mosquitoes. During the first year of operations, 59

percent of CDC’s personnel were engaged in the eradication effort. Whereas malaria was

once considered a threat to the country’s security, today new threats have emerged. Over the

last 70 years, CDC has tackled emerging diseases and many other health risks, such as Ebo-

la, Zika virus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), West Nile virus, monkey pox, an-

thrax, avian and pandemic flu, and bioterrorism. This newsletter focuses on a timeline

selection of notable public health events and achievements during the CDC’s 7 Decades of

Firsts.

Brian M. Hughes, County Executive

Kristin Reed, Health Officer

CDC, 1946

  2 

1946:

CDC established for communicable diseases

U.S. becomes malaria free

1947:

Emory University deeds 15 acres of land to the Federal Government for the

development of CDC headquarters on Clifton Road in Atlanta, Georgia

1949:

Last case of smallpox in the U.S.

1951:

Malaria is considered eliminated from the United States

The Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) is established, recognizing the need for an

adequate corps of trained epidemiologists who can be deployed immediately for any

contingency, including chemical or biological warfare

1952:

The Epidemic Intelligence Service participates in 205 outbreaks; most common are

infectious hepatitis, poliomyelitis, histoplasmosis, gastroenteritis, encephalitis, typhoid

fever, leptospirosis and influenza

1953:

CDC reports first case of rabies in a bat

The Communicable Disease Center National Surveillance Program is developed to

maintain constant vigilance over communicable diseases to respond immediately when

an outbreak occurs

1957:

Onset of “Asian flu” influenza pandemic and response

Asian flu pandemic emerges in Hong Kong with millions of cases and thousands of

deaths. CDC quickly sets up an influenza surveillance unit, a joint operation of the

Epidemiology and Laboratory Branches

1958:

CDC investigates the first recorded epidemic of inhalation anthrax in the 20th century

at a goat hair processing plant in Manchester, New Hampshire

1960:

First National Health Examination Survey is conducted to collect data on the total

prevalence of certain chronic diseases as well as the distribution of various physical

and physiological measures

New permanent headquarters opens in Atlanta, Georgia

1946-1960

  3 

1961:

CDC takes over publication of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) from the

National Office of Vital Statistics. MMWR is a weekly publication, containing a few short

narrative reports and the weekly morbidity and mortality tables. It also publishes the

annual "Summary of Notifiable Diseases"

1963:

Immunization Assistance Grant Program is established and CDC administers

Vaccination Assistance Act through project grants. The program is designed to raise and

maintain high levels of immunization against poliomyelitis, diphtheria, pertussis, and

tetanus

1964:

Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP established)

CDC holds first meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP),

to provide advice and guidance on the appropriate use of biologics and other preventive

medical agents for effective disease control in the civilian population

First Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking and Health

1966:

CDC announces a national measles eradication campaign at the American Public Health

Association meeting

Global Smallpox eradication effort launched

1967:

Communicable Disease Center is renamed National Communicable Disease Center

(NCDC) and the title of Chief of the Center is changed to CDC Director

1968:

CDC investigates an unidentified, highly infectious respiratory disease in Pontiac,

Michigan (later identified as Legionnaire's disease)

A tuberculosis surveillance system begins within the United States

Onset of “Hong Kong flu” influenza pandemic and response

1970:

The National Communicable Disease Center (NCDC) is renamed Center for Disease

Control (CDC)

1971:

CDC recommends discontinuation of routine immunization and vaccination requirements

for smallpox in the United States.

1961-1971

  4 

1972-1980

1973:

CDC documents the first nationwide

outbreak of Reye syndrome

1976:

CDC diagnoses two recruits at Fort Dix,

New Jersey with swine flu and

concludes that a deadly flu pandemic is

on its way. A national immunization

program is launched. No epidemic

occurs, before the immunization campaign is terminated, several people contract

Guillain-Barré syndrome from the vaccine

Epidemiologists investigate a deadly outbreak of a respiratory disease among attendees

at a Philadelphia convention

CDC sends disease detectives to investigate two large outbreaks of an unknown deadly

hemorrhagic fever in Zaire and Sudan, a disease later known as Ebola

Environmental Services Division analyzes blood samples collected through NHANES to

demonstrate that the level of lead in blood is related to exposure to gasoline. Based on

that data, the Environmental Protection Agency implements policies that decrease the

amount of lead in gas by half from 1976 – 1980, subsequently dropping levels of lead in

blood by 37%, and Congress is persuaded to phase out leaded gas permanently

Legionnaire’s disease discovery and response

Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with swine influenza vaccine

1977:

CDC isolates Legionella pneumophila, Legionnaires' disease, the cause of the deadly

outbreak at a Philadelphia hotel

1978:

Reports the first drug-resistant tuberculosis outbreak; causative organisms are found

resistant to the three most commonly-used drugs

1979:

Last recorded wild case of polio in the world

1980:

MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) publishes the first report on a

newly recognized illness associated with tampon use: toxic shock syndrome; CDC

organizes a task force to study the illness

Reports in the MMWR indicate association of Reye syndrome with aspirin use

CDC, mid 1970s

  5 

1981-1992

1981:

MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) publishes a report of five cases

of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) among previously healthy young men in Los

Angeles.

First AIDS cases reported in MMWR

1982:

Epidemiologists discovers that foodborne E.coli 0157 is the cause of two outbreaks of

hemorrhagic colitis

A report of 1,714 measles cases (an all-time low) indicates a 99% reduction from the

annual average of 500,000 in the pre-vaccine era. National surveillance for Lyme disease,

a tick-borne disease begins

CDC receives first reports of AIDS in persons with hemophilia, other transfusion recipients,

and in infants born to mothers with AIDS

1983:

The National AIDS Hotline is established to handle the growing number of calls

concerning the AIDS virus.

1988:

Worldwide Polio Eradication Initiative launches: a public-private partnership led by national

governments and spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary

International, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the United Nations Children's

Fund (UNICEF)

Understanding AIDS—information related to the prevention of HIV infection is sent to

every household in America

1989:

The 25th Surgeon General's report on the health consequences of smoking is issued

A WHO collaborating center for disaster preparedness is established

1990:

Reports possible transmission of HIV to a patient during invasive dental procedures

CDC and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) develop the Safe Water System

(SWS), protecting communities from contaminated water by promoting behavior change

and providing affordable and sustainable solutions

1992:

The agency is renamed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to reflect a

broader role and vision. The agency is asked by Congress to continue using the initials

"CDC"

1995:

MMWR reports on an outbreak of a mysterious illness in the southwestern U.S. Later

recognized as Hantavirus infection. The deadly virus is transmitted by infected rodents

through urine, droppings, and saliva. CDC responds by developing prevention and

information materials for the disease

Fatal respiratory syndrome associated with Hantavirus identified in southwestern U.S.

1998:

Cereal grains enriched with folic acid by federal mandate to reduce birth defects

1999:

CDC launches National Pharmaceutical Stockpile (now the Strategic National Stock-

pile), a stockpile of drugs, vaccines, and other medical products and supplies, to provide

for the emergency health security of the US and its territories

Establishes CDC's Laboratory Response Network, an integrated national and international

network of laboratories that are fully equipped to respond quickly to acts of chemical or

biological threats, emerging infectious diseases, and other public health threats and emer-

gencies

West Nile virus identified in New York City and response.

2001:

CDC learns of the first case of inhalational anthrax in the U.S. since 1976. The person, a

63-year-old Florida man, is the first of 22 victims of domestic terrorism infected by anthrax

sent through the mail.

World Trade Center and bioterrorist anthrax attacks and response

2003:

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is first discovered in Asia. CDC responds by

providing guidance for surveillance, clinical and laboratory evaluation, and reporting.

SARS outbreak in Asia and Canada and response.

MMWR reports the first identification of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in the

United States

A package containing ricin and a note threatening to poison water supplies is discovered

in a South Carolina postal facility, becoming the first potential chemical terrorism event in-

volving ricin in the U.S.

U.S. experiences an outbreak of monkeypox, the first time human monkeypox is reported

outside of Africa.

2004:

Rubella is eliminated in the United States

1993-2004

2005-2016

2005:

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita response

2006:

Responds to a multi-state mumps outbreak involving more than 6,500 reported cases.

This resurgence predominantly affects college-aged students living in the Midwest, with

outbreaks occurring on many different midwestern college campuses

Responds to multi-state outbreak of E. coli, infections linked to fresh spinach

2009:

CDC identifies the novel H1N1 influenza virus. The H1N1 flu pandemic dominates CDC

activity for the year, and demonstrates CDC's unique ability to assess and explain risk

H1N1 flu pandemic outbreak and response

2010:

In the aftermath of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti, CDC response effort helps

prevent 7,000 deaths from cholera

2012:

CDC responds to the largest healthcare-associated outbreak in United States history,

the fungal meningitis outbreak

2013:

CDC activates its Emergency Operations Center to investigate a novel coronavirus called

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)

2014:

The first case of Ebola is reported in Guinea in March; the disease spreads into the

neighboring countries of Liberia and Sierra Leone

CDC activates its Emergency Operations Center to respond to the largest Ebola outbreak

in history affecting multiple countries in West Africa. CDC helps coordinate the response

at the national level, providing health education and assisting with database

management. Trains teams of people who can do contact tracing, finding everyone who

came in direct contact with a sick Ebola patient

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) response

2016: Zika Virus outbreak (in Americas and U.S. Territories) response. CDC's Emergency

Operations Center (EOC) was activated for Zika virus disease on January 22, 2016 and moved to a level 1 activation—the highest level – on February 8, 2016

Flint water response

CDC works with states and other partners to provide a system of health surveillance to

monitor and prevent disease outbreaks (including bioterrorism), implement disease

prevention strategies, and maintain national

health statistics. CDC also guards against

international disease transmission, with

personnel stationed in more than 50

countries.

The agency has grown from a staff of 369 in

1946 to nearly 22,000 individuals (including

9,000 contractors and 971 Commissioned

Corps) in 171 occupations.

CDC is now focusing on becoming a more

efficient and impactful agency by focusing on five strategic areas: supporting state and local

health departments, improving global health, implementing measures to decrease leading

causes of death, strengthening surveillance and epidemiology, and reforming health policies.

CDC Today

CDC today

Cholera outbreak, Haiti

Ebola Outbreak, Sierra Leone

MERS-CoV investigation, Saudi Arabia

Safe water system, Kenya